HOT TIPS : How to Keep Kids Cool in Endless Heat of Summer

Summer vacation lasts for only 11 weeks, according to the school calendar. But it may seem like an endless summer for parents of children in the San Fernando Valley--thanks to the constraints of the season, heat and smog. What can parents do when they believe it's too hot or smoggy to send their children outside to play, and Nintendo has lost its thrill?

"Parents should limit outside activities on very hot days," said Dr. Arthur Lisbin, director of child and adolescent health for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. "The worst time of day is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. When it gets into the 90s, it's time to slow the kids down." Lisbin recommends bringing children inside regularly to cool down and drink fluids.

Appropriate Clothing

"Kids should wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing," said Lisbin. "And, while I'm not pushing Gatorade, it's a good thing to drink. Better than water."

"What I'm most concerned about is sun exposure," he added. "I have concern about all the new reports on skin cancer. Children's skin may be more sensitive than adult skin." Lisbin recommends that parents apply sun block to the children before sending them outside.

Parents should also be aware of signs of heat fatigue, heat cramps and heat stroke, Lisbin said. Heat fatigue occurs when a child overexerts himself and becomes dehydrated. Symptoms include headaches, excessive sweating, shallow breathing, poor appetite and a general weakness. According to "The New Child Health Encyclopedia," parents should bring children to a cool place and give them plenty of liquids. A cool shower or bath helps.

Fluid Loss

Heat cramps can occur when the body loses large amounts of fluids and salts through sweating. The most common muscle cramps are in the arms, legs and stomach. Parents, according to the "Encyclopedia," should respond with plenty of liquids and have the child rest in a cool place.

Although heat stroke is rare in children, it is a medical emergency and calls for immediate action. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, abdominal cramps, flushed skin, pounding pulse, nausea, lack of sweating (the opposite of heat fatigue) a fever as high as 104 degrees, and even a coma. Children who are ill, taking medications or have diabetes or vascular problems are more susceptible.

What else can parents do during the long, hot summer? Where are the coolest places to take children? Here's how children--and parents--can chill out.

BOWLING--Children as young as 6 can heave a ball at an alley. As long as they adhere to the most basic rule of not walking down the lane to fetch their balls, most bowling alleys welcome young children; many bowling alleys even have 8-pound balls. Although league play takes up most of the evening hours, most alleys have open day bowling.